IconScores.ca: Syrah

Showing posts with label Syrah. Show all posts

Winemaker's Cut 2020 Bohemian Syrah - 91pts

Winemaker's Cut 2020 Bohemian Syrah (Okanagan Valley) BC

Availability: Direct from the winery here
Cost: $37 + taxes
Alcohol: 14%
Production: 200 cases
Date Tasted: October 21st, 2022

Tasting Notes: A beautifully scented, bright'n'bold Syrah from Oliver and Penticton sourced fruit offering a gorgeous, feminine nose of sweet spices, incense, cherry cola, cherry nibs and violet aromas followed by a textured palate of dark berries, cola, anise, cracked pepper and iron flavours. A blend of 92% Syrah and 8% Viognier, this is a wine to pair with leaner meets like beef tenderloin or seared tuna. Ready to go now. Drink 2022-2025.

Gold Hill Winery 2018 Syrah - 89pts

Gold Hill Winery 2018 Syrah (Golden Mile Slope) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Direct from winery here

Cost: $42.99

Alcohol: 15%

Date Tasted: September 26th, 2022

Tasting Notes: Intensely aromatic and dense on the nose with concentrated, black cherry, violet, lavender and blackened spice aromas. Equally intense and concentrated on the dry, full palate where high levels of blood orange acidity and bold, blackened tannins make this Syrah less of an elegant, standalone sipper and more of a fancy, accompagnement to your favourite BBQ meats. Still tasting youthful and fresh at 4 years of age due to the Stelvin enclosure. Should hold for 3-4 more years but don't expect much development. Drink 2022-2026.

Burrowing Owl Estate Winery 2020 Syrah - 90pts

Burrowing Owl Estate Winery 2020 Syrah (Black Sage Bench) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Direct from the winery and private wine shops
Cost: $35 + taxes
Alcohol: 14%
Date Tasted: August 31st, 2022
@BurrowingOwlBC

Tasting Notes: A cherry Coke-scented, youthful Syrah with black cherry, cola, black plum and black pepper notes leading the way while aromas of toasted oak and charred meat play a supporting role. Sourced from the winery's vineyards in Oliver and Osoyoos, the 2020 Syrah is dense and meaty with a rustic, iron and charred-oak edge to its cherry cola'n'spice flavoured, dry palate. Should be used to dress-up cheaper cuts of meat with nicely charred fat and big, bold sauces. Ready to go now or hold for 2-3 years. Drink 2022-2026.

Burrowing Owl Estate Winery 2019 Syrah - 89pts

Burrowing Owl Estate Winery 2019 Syrah (Black Sage Bench) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Direct from the winery and private wine shops
Cost: $35 + taxes
Alcohol: 14%
Date Tasted: February 28th, 2022
@BurrowingOwlBC

Tasting Notes: Sourced from the winery's vineyards in Oliver and Osoyoos, the 2019 Syrah is complex and dense with a rough, charred edge to its black plum and black cherry scented nose and on the full-bodied, textured palate that follows.

Not as versatile in the food-pairing department as recent vintages. Look to this Syrah to balance out cheaper cuts of meet with nicely charred fat and big, bold sauces. Ready to go now or hold for 2-3 years. Drink 2022-2025.

Mt. Boucherie Estate Winery 2018 Reserve Syrah - 90+pts

Mt. Boucherie Estate Winery 2018 Reserve Syrah - BC VQA

Availability: Direct from winery here
Cost: $44.99 + taxes
Alcohol: 14.3%
Date Tasted: June 18th, 2021

Tasting Notes: When compared to the winery's regular Syrah of the same vintage and vineyards, the Reserve is dialed up to... more. More of everything you want; intensity, smoothness, spiciness and length, on the finish. Certainly a New World Syrah with boldness and neatly rounded edges. Deserves a sweet'n'spicy, BBQ feast held in its honour. Ready to go now or hold for further development. Drink 2021-2025.

Burrowing Owl Estate Winery 2018 Syrah - 90pts

Burrowing Owl Estate Winery 2018 Syrah (Black Sage Bench) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Direct from the winery and private wine shops
Cost: $35 + taxes
Alcohol: 14%
Date Tasted: March 27th, 2021
@BurrowingOwlBC

Tasting Notes: A layered Syrah that opens with a developing bouquet of black cherry, light cola and sweetened peppercorn aromas followed by a mouth-watering, red and dark fruit flavoured palate whose depth of spice is revealed in the delayed, long-lasting finish. Extremely food-friendly with no overwhelming elements and the right amount of oak and tannin to pair with Striploin or Ribeye steaks (peppercorn encrusted, of course). Ready to go now or hold for 2-3 years. Drink 2021-2024.

Rust Wine Co. 2017 Syrah - 90pts

Rust Wine Co. 2017 Syrah (Cawston) Similkameen Valley - BC

Availability: Direct from the winery here
Cost: $37 + taxes
Alcohol: 13.9%
Date Tasted: November 21st, 2020

Tasting Notes: Sourced from the winery's Cawston vineyard in the Similkameen Valley, this is one of three Syrahs the winery makes and it's their most playful with uber-ripe, cherry, raspberry and plum fruit, Christmas Cake spices and candied fruits showing throughout. Palate's balance is just a tad sweet with the medium tannins and acidity unable to fully off-set the super-concentrated berry flavours. A touch of toasted oak and wild spice add depth and more food pairing options like game served with a fruit sauce. Ready to go now. Drink 2020-2024.
- Liam Carrier ©copyright 2020 IconWines.ca

Rust Wine Co. 2017 Syrah - 91pts

Rust Wine Co. 2017 Syrah (Golden Mile Bench) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Direct from the winery here
Cost: $37 + taxes
Alcohol: 13.9%
Date Tasted: November 20th, 2020

Tasting Notes: One of three Syrahs that Rust Wine Co. produces, this one, sourced from the Golden Mile Bench, is the most masculine of the group with a nice balance between its dark fruit and savoury characters. 'Medium-plus' on all fronts; body, tannins, length and mouthfeel. Yet, there's amble generosity without weighting down your palate. Plenty of complexity on offer with aromas and flavours of baking spices, cured meats, dried rocks and salty tapenade. Ready to go now or hold for several more years. Drink 2020-2024.

Rust Wine Co. 2017 Syrah - 92pts

Rust Wine Co. 2017 Syrah (Black Sage Bench) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Direct from the winery here
Cost: $37 + taxes
Alcohol: 13.9%
Date Tasted: November 20th, 2020

Tasting Notes: This Syrah, sourced from the Black Sage Bench, is the most well-rounded and impressive of the three Rust Wine Co. produce. A little more intense than its Golden Mile Bench cousin and more refined than its Similkameen Valley kin. It all seems to come together in this beautiful Syrah with excellent concentration on the ripe berry and potpourri scented nose and the long-lived, elegant, yet, bold palate. Classic Syrah characters are on offer here: dark and red fruits, white pepper and hints of mint and cola. Ready to go now. Drink 2020-2024.
- Liam Carrier ©copyright 2020 IconWines.ca

Gold Hill Winery 2014 Syrah - 90pts

Gold Hill Winery 2014 Syrah (Golden Mile Bench) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Direct from winery here
Cost: $34.99 + taxes
Alcohol: 15.6%
Date Tasted: September 12th, 2020

Tasting Notes: This 2014 vintage Syrah from Gold Hill has aged nicely, still showing some years of service ahead with some potential for further development. Using a Stelvin enclosure on this robust, masculine wine has proven to be a wise decision. Look for spices, cured meats, olives and cherry cola aromas on the intense, dense nose. The equally dense palate that follows offers similar flavours with additional layers of vanilla, toasted oak and more prominent fruit; black raspberries, black cherries and red currant. Finish is long and uber spicy. Ready to go now. Drink 2020-2024.

Mt. Boucherie Estate Winery 2018 Syrah - 88pts

Mt. Boucherie Estate Winery 2018 Syrah - BC VQA

Availability: Direct from winery here
Cost: $27.99 + taxes
Alcohol: 14.1%
Date Tasted: June 29th, 2020

Tasting Notes: A 'Bristol Cream' Syrah; smooth and complex with aromas and flavours of milky black cherry, tangy black raspberry, green peppercorn, spicy tannins and light, cola-licorice notes. Ready to go now. Drink 2020-2023.
- Liam Carrier ©copyright 2020 IconWines.ca

Winemaker's Cut 2018 Syrah - 91pts

Winemaker's Cut 2018 Syrah (Oliver) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Direct from the winery here
Cost: $34 (including taxes)
Alcohol: 13.5%
Production: 600 cases
Date Tasted: May 30th, 2020

Tasting Notes: An uber-spicy, masculine Syrah offering a dense nose pairing white and black pepper with black plum, vanilla, licorice and beef jerky aromas. A meaty, raw palate follow with layers of spice intertwining bright black cherry, cool iron, black and green peppercorn and toasted oak flavours. Ready to go now. Drink 2020-2023.
- Liam Carrier ©copyright 2020 IconWines.ca

Winemaker's Cut 2019 Boho Zen - 86pts

Winemaker's Cut 2019 Boho Zen (Oliver) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Direct from the winery here
Cost: $26 (including taxes)
Alcohol: 12.5%
Production: 700 cases
Date Tasted: May 22nd, 2020

Tasting Notes: The Boho Zen is a 90/10 split of Syrah and Merlot which saw zero oak contact and relied on a naturally accumulated yeast on the skins to spontaneous fermentation. The lack of time in the barrel enhances the youthful, juicy nature of this wine which offers a Beaujolais Nouveau-like profile on the fresh and casual nose where mixed berry and floral notes dominate and on the vibrant, spicy palate where racy acidity makes a lively pairing with the underlying savoury and wild berry flavours.

A casual wine for casual foods. Think BBQ favourites with fresh slices of tomatoes. Enjoy in its youth. Drink now-2022.
- Liam Carrier ©copyright 2020 IconWines.ca

Winemaker's Cut 2017 Syrah - 90+pts

Winemaker's Cut 2017 Syrah (Oliver) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Direct from the winery here
Cost: $34 + taxes
Alcohol: 13.5%
Production: 200 cases
Date Tasted: July 26th, 2019

Tasting Notes: Sourced from the same vineyard that also supplies Syrah to Le Vieux Pin, the 2017 edition of this limited cuvée opens with a fusion of sweet peppercorn and dark, spiced cherries on the nose followed by a similarly flavoured, dry palate where additional, layers of savoury flavours linger on the on the long, earthy finish.

Has the structure to age, so further development is likely. Put one down for a mid-term sleep of 2-3 years, but not too much longer than that. Once the bottom falls out of this sensual, feminine Syrah, it may lose its balance. Drink 2019-2023.
- Liam Carrier ©copyright 2019 IconWines.ca

Kettle Valley Winery 2014 Great Northern Vineyard Syrah - 88pts

Kettle Valley Winery 2014 Great Northern Vineyard Syrah (Cawston) Similkameen Valley - BC

Availability: Direct from winery here and private stores
Cost: $21-25 + taxes
Alcohol: 13.6%
Date Tasted: July 5th, 2019

Tasting Notes: A complex and masculine Syrah with layers of dark fruit, black pepper, sweet tar, black licorice and, in contrast, some elegant crushed violet and pipe tobacco notes. A touch 'green' on the medium-bodied palate with a hint of green pepper, though, the charred, mannered tannins have fully integrated leaving an overall sense of cohesion. Excellent value on offer for this Similkameen sourced Syrah. Ready to go now at 5 years of age. Drink 2019-2020.
- Liam Carrier ©copyright 2019 IconWines.ca

Stag's Hollow Winery 2018 Syrah Rosé - 88pts

Stag's Hollow Winery 2018 Syrah Rosé (Okanagan Valley) BC

Availability: Direct from winery here and VQA stores
Cost: $21.99 + taxes
Alcohol: 13.3%
Date Tasted: March 26th, 2019

Tasting Notes: The Stag's Hollow rosé is a blend of two lots of Syrah, one grown specifically for this blush, crushed and then allowed only minimal skin contact and another lot used in the production of the winery's Syrah label, blended with Viognier then bled in the traditional saignée method to drain off lightly tinted juice.

The result of all of this effort is a beautifully delicate, yet, expressive rosé with a hint of residual sugar nicely balanced by fresh, but never overwhelming acid. Flavour profile will remind you of Provence with lifted, red fruit, a touch of minerals and a supporting, savoury backbone. Finish is a tad short compared to previous, stellar years - more of a reflection of their high standards. Drink now-2019.
- Liam Carrier ©copyright 2019 IconWines.ca

Painted Rock Estate Winery 2016 Syrah - 91+pts

Painted Rock Estate Winery 2016 Syrah (Skaha Bench) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Not yet released. Direct from the winery here
Cost: TBA
Alcohol: 14.5%
Date Tasted: March 2nd, 2019

Tasting Notes: An intense and ripe, dark and red fruit driven Syrah with prominent spice notes on the New World fashioned profile with added layers of sun-dried earth, blood orange, mint, toasted oak and vanilla. With time in the glass to open up, a susurus of cola and chocolate aromas show on the developing nose and cigar box and black pepper flavours linger on the long finish.

Could improve with further time in the cellar, but, ready to go now and through the next 5-6 years. Drink 2019-2024.
- Liam Carrier ©copyright 2019 IconWines.ca

Stag's Hollow Winery 2016 Syrah - 88pts

Stag's Hollow Winery 2016 Syrah (Osoyoos) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Direct from the winery here
Cost: $25.99 + taxes
Alcohol: 13.5%
Date Tasted: November 15th, 2018

Tasting Notes: A feminine, single-vineyard Syrah, proudly aromatic and spicy, though, not without a solid layer of red and black berry fruits on the herb-encrusted nose and the plump, yet, mouth-watering palate. Not a powerhouse Syrah, like some of its Southern Okanagan cousins, but nothing out of place and very food-friendly. Drink now-2020.
- Liam Carrier ©copyright 2018 IconWines.ca

Rust Wine Co. 2016 Syrah - 90-91pts

Rust Wine Co. 2016 Syrah (Black Sage Bench) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Direct from the winery here
Cost: $37 + taxes
Alcohol: 13.9%
Date Tasted: November 14th, 2018

Tasting Notes: This youthful Syrah shows excellent potential for further evolution in the bottle with a lovely combination of both masculine and feminine characters on the seductive nose and the layered'n'long, mouth-watering palate. Look for complimentary aromas and flavours of brooding black cherry, salty tapenade, rosemary, violets, potpourri and black raspberry. Ready to go now with a long decant, but best to wait another 18 months for further integration and development. Drink 2020-2024.
- Liam Carrier ©copyright 2018 IconWines.ca

Black Hills Estate Winery 2016 Syrah - 89-91pts

Black Hills Estate Winery 2016 Syrah (Black Sage Bench) Okanagan Valley - BC

Availability: Direct from the winery here
Cost: $39.90 + taxes
Alcohol: 13.9%
Date Tasted: November 1st, 2018

Tasting Notes: A dark and brooding Syrah, in its youth, with concentrated aromas of black cherry, peppercorn, tobacco leaf, mint, tar, oak spice and a hint of violets which should develop more prominently as it ages (as previous vintages have done). Palate is both juicy and dense with black and blue fruits complimented nicely by savoury notes, smoky, moderate tannins and waves of pepper, clove and tangy acidity.

Needs another 2-3 years in bottle to blossom. Drink 2020-2025.
- Liam Carrier ©copyright 2018 IconWines.ca

Pages

Search For A Wine